From Sonia Gandhi to Rajeev Shukla, who said what on suspension of Congress MPs from Lok Sabha

Confrontation between government and opposition is set to escalate with Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today suspending 25 Congress members for five days for “persistently, wilfully obstructing the House”. [caption id=“attachment_2376890” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Agencies[/caption] The Speaker ’named’ (identifying for action) the 25 Congress members who were carrying placards and shouting slogans in the Well while pressing for resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over Lalit Modi row and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over Vyapam scam. Such a major disciplinary action is the first in the current Lok Sabha. Congress now faces a dilemma as they seem to be short on numbers in Lok Sabha. The speaker’s decision sparked outrage among Congress MPs. Here’s a look at who said what on the suspension of Congress MPs. Congress president Sonia Gandhi: Today is a black day for democracy. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee: Sudeep banerjee also made a request, we’re also supporting Congress, boycotting decision of speaker. BJP national spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao: Prerogative of presiding officer of each house of Parliament to take appropriate measures to ensure Parliament runs as per wishes of the people. Congress MP Rajeev Shukla: This is the most undemocratic thing which has been done today. In the last two decades, I have not seen such a thing. The voice of opposition is being muzzled Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge:  Raising placards and slogan in Parliament is not a new thing. I don’t want to criticise the Speaker but we are hurt by what is going on in the House. We want all political parties to unite and face this. I will talk to Sonia Gandhi about this. Modiji is involved in this. They want to bring the Gujarat model into Parliament. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan: You can protest, its your right, but there is a way to say things everywhere. In Parliament, you must follow the rules and this is not the right way. I want to break this norm of ruckus in Lok Sabha. I have taken a stringent action. For last eight days I am trying, what can I do? I was forced to take this action.